Problem:
In Chapters 16-18, van der Kolk describes several therapeutic approaches that support trauma recovery by helping individuals integrate difficult experiences and reconnect with their bodies. These include practices such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), yoga and mindfulness, and psychomotor therapies like theater or movement. Each of these approaches emphasizes that healing involves not only thinking about the past but also experiencing safety, presence, and connection in the body and in relationships.
Choose one approach from the readings (or another that stood out to you) that resonates with you. Reflect on how you have encountered or applied elements of this approach in your own life, even informally. If you haven't directly experienced these practices, you may reflect on a time when you observed similar principles in action through your relationships, community, or daily life.
In your response, please consider the following:
What drew you to this particular approach or idea?
How did engaging with it (or observing it) affect your bodily sensations, emotions, or thought patterns?
Did you notice any changes in how you relate to challenging parts of yourself, your past, or your relationships? Need Assignment Help?
How has this shaped your perspective on healing, resilience, or personal growth?
What insights from this experience could inform the way you think about social work practice with individuals or communities impacted by trauma?